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Egypt is synonymous with Pharaohs, the
pyramids, temples and antiquities from ancient civilisations.
And at the centre of these great civilisations lies the
Nile River that has influenced their economics, social
life, politics and religion. It is the oldest travel
destination on earth: Greek and Roman travellers came
in 430 BC to wonder at some of the very sights that make
it a modern travel destination today. The magnificence
of the painted Valley of the Kings, exquisite temples
and the pyramids were all sought-after subjects of admiration,
and many were already 2,500 years old!
Click
here for
full map of Egypt (see opposite)
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Local
time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from last Friday in April to last
Friday in September).
Electrical
current is 220 volts, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs
are standard.
Arabic
is the official language although English and French
are widely spoken, especially in the tourist areas.
The
international access code for Egypt is +20. The outgoing code is 00 followed
but the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). The city
code for Cairo is (0)2. There are high surcharges on international calls
from hotels; it is cheaper to phone long-distance from the 24-hour Post,
Telephone and Telegraph (PTT) offices that are available in the major
cities. For international directory phone enquiries dial 120. The local
mobile phone operators use GSM 900 networks and have roaming agreements
with all major operators. Internet cafes are available in the main tourist
areas.
Except
for the Mediterranean coast the country experiences a desert
climate,
which is hot and dry most of the year, especially in the summer
months (June to August). Winter is from December to February
with average temperatures of 68°F to 79°F (20°C to
26°C).
You can also travel by boat. As the largest global canal boat wholesaler,
we offer you a choice of 3 self skipper companies: Amadeus Waterways
River Cruise river cruising is lots of fun. No license
is
required
and
boats are available for 2-12 passengers. It really is a terrific bonding time
for
families or just
a
great time for a group of friends. The Luxury Ships or boats are very comfortable
and most boats have en-suites and comfortable cabins. BBQ's , fishing rods
and
outdoor
deck
furniture complete the picture.
For details, Egypt
River Cruising
Entry requirements for Americans: US
citizens must have a valid passport, and a visa is required.
A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival provided the purpose
of travel is for tourism. For travellers just travelling to
the south Sinai resorts, a free 14-day visa can be obtained
on arrival.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK
citizens must have a valid passport, and a visa is required.
A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival provided the purpose
of travel is for tourism. For travellers just travelling to
the south Sinai resorts, a free 14-day visa can be obtained
on arrival.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians
must have a valid passport, and a visa is required. A 30-day
visa can be obtained on arrival provided the purpose of travel
is for tourism. For travellers just travelling to the south
Sinai resorts, a free 14-day visa can be obtained on arrival.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australians
must have a valid passport, and a visa is required. A 30-day
visa can be obtained on arrival provided the purpose of travel
is for tourism. For travellers just travelling to the south
Sinai resorts, a free 14-day visa can be obtained on arrival.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South
African nationals require a valid passport, and a visa for
travel to Egypt. For travellers just travelling to the south
Sinai resorts, a free 14-day visa can be obtained on arrival.
.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish
nationals must have a valid passport, and a visa is required.
A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival provided the purpose
of travel is for tourism. For travellers just travelling to
the south Sinai resorts, a free 14-day visa can be obtained
on arrival.
Entry requirements for New Zealand nationals: New
Zealand citizens must have a valid passport, and a visa is
required. A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival provided
the purpose of travel is for tourism. For travellers just travelling
to the south Sinai resorts, a free 14-day visa can be obtained
on arrival.
Passport/Visa Note: Passports
must be valid for at least two months beyond the period of
visit. Visa requirements change at short notice.
Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at
short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry
requirements with their embassy or consulate.
Africa’s largest city with a
population of over 18 million, Cairo is a chaotic mixture
of sights, sounds and smells. It is heaving with life, volatile,
polluted and boisterous, with an intensity that both exhausts
and invigorates the visitor. It is also distinctive with
its ancient monuments in juxtaposition to the modern and
cosmopolitan. The congested streets of Islamic Cairo are
full of donkey carts, traders and mosques, while camels weave
their way haughtily between the crumbling pyramids on the
outskirts. Taxis clamour for attention and pedestrians elbow
their way past busy coffee houses, where those seeking a
brief escape from the hustle and bustle sit sipping at a
strong cup of coffee while contemplating the smoke rings
of a ‘hubbly bubbly’ water pipe – in true
Egyptian style.
Visitors
can also practice the age-old art of bargaining for trinkets,
spices and perfume in one of the world’s largest
bazaars, or pay a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities,
which houses treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb and is
one of the country’s main attractions.
Situated
on the Nile, Egyptians arrogantly refer to Cairo as the ‘Mother of all Cities’;
many visitors who have experienced its unruliness would perhaps
describe it in
less endearing terms. But no matter how it goes down there
is no doubt that Cairo is as beguiling as it is messy, and
its charm lies in the blend of African, Arab and European influences,
the timelessness of the old and the energy of the present.
ATTRACTIONS
IN CAIRO
Khan al-Khalili
Buzzing with the activities of buying and selling, Khan al-Khalili
is one of the largest markets in the world. It is situated
within Islamic Cairo, a World Heritage Site that attracts travellers
and locals alike. This is the best place to soak up the colour
of Cairo and to people-watch. Traders have been bargaining
in these alleys since the 14th century and it is possible to
buy almost anything, from exotic perfume bottles to everyday
Arabic clothing. On the northern corner of the bazaar is the
Mosque of Sayyidna al-Hussein, one of the holiest Islamic sites
in Egypt.
The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities
With over 100,000
artefacts in 107 halls, the Egyptian Museum provides days of
exploration. Inside are treasures from ancient
Egypt, including priceless finery taken from ancient royal
tombs, and one of the museum’s masterpieces, the statue
of Khafre (Chephren). The most popular attraction is the Tutankhamun
Gallery where exquisite treasures from the tomb of the Boy
King are displayed, including the famous solid gold death mask.
Another top attraction is the Royal Mummy Room containing mummies
of some of the most powerful Pharaohs in Egypt dating from
the 18th to the 20th Dynasties.
Address:
Mariette Pasha Street, Tahrir Square; Telephone: (02) 579
6974; Website: www.egyptianmuseum.gov.eg; Opening
time: Daily 9am to 4.45pm; Admission: LE 40; Mummies’ Hall:
LE 70. Concessions available
The Pyramids of Giza
The pyramids are
the earth’s oldest tourist attraction
and the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the only remainder
of the seven ancient wonders of the world. Throughout their
history, they have fired human imagination, with much speculation
as to their origin and purpose, but most evidence supports
the theory that they were built by the ancient civilisation
as tombs or great monuments in which to bury their kings and
nobles, a place to start their mystic journey to the afterlife.
The oldest and largest pyramid, the Great Pyramid, is thought
to have taken 20 years to build and is made of about two million
blocks of limestone. No one knows how the two-ton blocks were
moved into place, but it was known to be the tallest man-made
structure in the world for over 40 centuries. The Sphinx, known
as the Abu al-Hol (Father of Terror), stands in front of the
Great Pyramid and is thought to be older than the pyramids
themselves.
Address: Pyramid Road, 11 miles (18km) southwest of the centre;
Transport: Bus 8 from Midan Tahrir; Opening time: Daily 7am
to 7.30pm; pyramid chambers 8.30am to 4pm; Admission: LE 40;
Great Pyramid: LE 100, other pyramids LE 20-35. Concessions
available
Old Cairo
The small and enclosed area, also known as Coptic Cairo, is
the oldest part of the city and was once known as the Roman
stronghold of Babylon; some of the old walls still exist. It
is the ancient heart of the Coptic Christian community and
although only five of the original 20 churches remain they
are interesting to visit, along with the first mosque built
in Egypt and the oldest synagogue, a representation of three
of the major religions of the modern world. It is a peaceful
place to wander around and a respite from the busy city centre.
Churches of interest are the Al-Muallaqa (Hanging Church),
the oldest Christian place of worship in the city, and St Sergius
where the Holy Family reputedly sheltered during their flight
to Egypt.
The Nile River has been the lifeblood of Egypt
for thousands of years. The narrow fertile strip on either
side lies in stark contrast to the desert wasteland beyond.
Annual flooding of the Nile and the deposit of silt on its
banks has resulted in layers of previous settlements that have
been discovered underneath almost every town and village in
the valley. Excavations have revealed thousands of tombs, temples
and monuments along the banks of the river, and the best places
to explore some of these relics are from the small towns of
Luxor and Aswan.
Abu Simbel Festival
The festival takes place
twice a year, in February and October, in celebration of Ramses
II's birthday. When Ramses II built
his temple he carefully positioned it so that on his birthday
and during the sun solstices the inner sanctum would become
lit, the rising sun gradually illuminating the statues of Ramses,
Ra and Amun, while the god of darkness, Ptah, remains in shadow.
Before sunrise the temple becomes packed with people waiting
to witness the spectacular show. The outside celebrations include
music, dancing, markets, and food and drink stalls.
Venue: The Temple of Abu Simbel; Date: 22 October 2007; Time:
Sunrise
Resorts
See our separate guides to the following resorts in The Nile
Valley: Luxor and Aswan
ATTRACTIONS
IN NILE RIVER
Abu Simbel
The two temples of Abu Simbel, the
Temple of Ramses II and the temple of Hathor (the Sun God) dedicated
to his wife Nefertari,
were cut out of the sandstone cliffs more than 3,000 years
ago. Not only are these temples among the most magnificent
in the world, but also their removal and reconstruction are
recorded as a major historical feat during the construction
of the High Dam on Lake Nasser. The monuments were threatened
with submersion, and after an appeal by UNESCO in co-operation
with the Egyptian Government they were dismantled and reassembled
exactly, about 197ft (60m) higher up. The intimidating sight
that first greets the visitor is that of the four colossal
statues guarding the entrance to the Grand Hall of the Temple
of Ramses. The interior is highly decorated with relief paintings
and is supported by eight statues of Ramses acting as giant
pillars. Leading off the hall are painted sanctuaries and chambers.
The Temple of Hathor is smaller and simpler, also with statues
guarding the entrance and a manifestation of the Sun God portrayed
above. It is aligned in such a way that the sun's rays reach
inside to illuminate the statues of Ptah, Amun-Re, Ramesses
II, and Re- Horakhty twice a year.
Transport: Hotels in Aswan organise bus tours to the site;
Opening time: Daily 6am to 5pm (summer); 6am to 4pm (winter);
Admission: LE 34
Nubian Museum
This museum is an excellent introduction to the history and
culture of the Nubians. It contains a collection of artefacts
from Nubia (the region approximately between Aswan and Khartoum
in Sudan) and an exhibition of Nubian culture and crafts. It
also portrays the history and people of the Nile Valley from
ancient times until the present, the project of UNESCO to move
monuments like Abu Simbel endangered by the High Dam on lake
Nasser to higher ground, and a hall containing impressive statues
and tombstones from the region.
Opening time: Daily 9am to 1pm and 6pm to 10pm (summer);
9am to 1pm and 5pm to 9pm (winter); Admission: LE 35
The Temple of Karnak
The main place of worship in Theban times and built over a
period of 1,300 years, the massive Temple of Karnak is an incredibly
impressive structure. One of the world's great architectural
achievements, the Hypostyle Hall, is filled with immense stone
pillars still bearing the engraved and painted inscriptions
from the 12th Dynasty, and covers an area of 64,583 square
feet (6,000 sq metres). The complex also contains the Avenue
of the Sphinxes, the Sacred Lake, and many huge statues, halls,
ornate wall murals, obelisks and colonnades.
Opening time: Daily 9am to 5pm (winter), 6am to 6pm (summer);
Admission: LE 40
The West Bank
The West Bank is an area of limestone hills and valleys riddled
with tombs and temples. Goats roam freely among the ruins,
and the tiny settlements on the slopes provide a splash of
colour in an otherwise desert-like barrenness. The 59ft (18m)
high pair of enthroned statues of the Colossi of Memnon are
the first things most visitors will see on the West Bank, the
only remaining part of the mortuary temple of Amenophis III.
Most travellers come to visit the Valley of the Kings where
the secretive tombs of the Pharaohs were built to immortalise
their mummies and treasures for eternity. In an attempt to
thwart tomb robbers, traps and deceptions were part of the
architectural planning. Dramatic descents, spectacular murals
on the passage and chamber walls and a replica of the original
sarcophagus at the end of the tunnel create an awe-inspiring
atmosphere. Highlights include the Tomb of Tutankhamun and
Ramses II. The country's finest tomb lies in the Valley of
the Queens, the Tomb of Nefertari, which has exceptional painted
murals, but is at present closed to the public. Also worth
a visit is Hatshepsut's Temple, mortuary temple of Egypt's
only female Pharaoh.
Opening time: Daily 6am to 6pm (summer), 9am to 5pm (winter);
Admission: 3 tombs in the Valley of Kings LE55; an additional
ticket for the Tomb of Tutankhamon is required: LE70. Valley
of Queens LE20. Hatshepsut’s Temple is LE20
Lastly and I hope you don't need it, but should
you require consular help - here are the details
Egyptian Tourist Authority, Cairo: +20 (0)2 684 1970 or www.egypt.travel
Egyptian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 895
5400.
Egyptian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7499 3304.
Egyptian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 234 4931.
Egyptian Embassy, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for
New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6273 4437.
Egyptian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 343 1590.
Egyptian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 660 6566.
Egyptian Embassy, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for
New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6273 4437.
United States Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 797 3300.
British Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 794 0852.
Canadian Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 791 8700.
Australian Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 575 0444.
South African Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 359 4365.
Irish Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 735 8264.
New Zealand Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 461 9178.
Emergencies: 122 (Police); 123 (Ambulance)
:
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Location: The airport
is situated 14 miles (22km) from Cairo. Time: Local time is GMT
+2 (GMT +3 between last Friday in April
and last Friday in September). Contacts: Tel: +20 (0)2 265
5000 or (0)2 265 5001. Transfer between terminals: The two
terminals are two miles (3km) apart and are linked by a free
shuttle, which departs about every half an hour. Transfer to
the city: There are taxis outside the main arrivals hall; the
journey to central Cairo takes around 45 minutes. An Airport
Shuttle bus is a convenient way to get from the airport to
downtown Cairo and along the Pyramids Road in Giza. Public
buses and air-conditioned coaches also leave regularly from
Terminal 1. Car rental: Car hire companies at the airport include
Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz. However, driving in Cairo
is best avoided, otherwise visitors can hire a driver with
their car for a small additional charge. Facilities: Facilities
include a restaurant and several cafeterias, banks and ATMs,
bureau de change, pharmacies, an Internet café in Terminal
1, five-star lounges for business and first class passengers,
smoking rooms (Terminal 1), tourist information desks and travel
agencies. Duty-free is also available. Facilities for disabled
passengers are good, but those with special needs should contact
their airline in advance. Parking: Long and short-term parking
is available. Departure tax: None. Website: www.cairo-airport.com
Luxor Airport (LXR)
Location: The airport is situated four miles (6km) east of
the city. Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from last Friday
in April to last Friday in September). Transfer to the city:
The best way to the city is by taxi (journey time 15min), but
there is also a regular bus service available, but it is generally
very crowded. Car rental: There are car rental agencies at
the airport. Facilities: Airport facilities include bureaux
de change, restaurants, shops, a tourist information desk,
post office and left luggage. Wheelchairs are available for
disabled passengers; airlines should be notified in advance.
Departure tax: None.
